{"_id":"68a748a75f29d37246871e4f","title":"{\"ops\":[{\"insert\":\"How can a Muslim mother manage screen time and guide her child in an Islamic manner?\\n\"}]}","question":"{\"ops\":[{\"insert\":\"I am struggling to raise my 7-year-old son in an Islamic manner, especially regarding his use of technology. He has been lying, watching inappropriate content, and showing aggression. I work long hours and worry about implementing technology in a way that allows him to live according to Islamic values. How can I manage screen time, encourage prayer, support physical activity, address aggression, and feel confident about raising him alone or considering remarriage?\\n\"}]}","answer":"{\"ops\":[{\"insert\":\"May Allah reward you for reaching out for guidance on this issue. Allah ﷻ has chosen you for one of the most important and noble roles in this life. Some of the most prominent scholars of our tradition were raised by single moms. Of the most known is Imam Al Shafi’, may Allah ﷻ be pleased with him and his mother. Also, Imam al Bukhari, the well known scholar of Hadiths was raised by a single mother (may Allah ﷻ be pleased with them), amongst many others. Although toxic unIslamic cultural norms may place a stigma on single moms, you should have full conviction that to Allah ﷻ, you are nothing short of the most beloved of His creation and will be rewarded for every difficulty you endure as a result, insha’Allah. On the most difficult days, I want you to remember the beautiful hadeeth that describes the eternal reward for those tested in this life:\\n\\nJabir narrated that our beloved Prophet ﷺ said: \"},{\"attributes\":{\"italic\":true},\"insert\":\"“On the Day of Judgement, when the people who were tried (in this world) are given their rewards, the people who were pardoned (in life), will wish that their skins had been cut off with scissors while they were in the world.” \"},{\"insert\":\"and there are similar reports to this hadeeth.\\n\\nI mention all of this before answering your specific questions, because as believers it is important for us to evaluate this dunya through the lens of Allah ﷻ and nothing else. This keeps us anchored through the storms of life, no matter how difficult they may seem, insha’Allah.\\n\\n\"},{\"attributes\":{\"underline\":true,\"bold\":true},\"insert\":\"Electronic Devices/Internet:\"},{\"insert\":\"\\nWhile the culture we live in would like us to believe that our children must have electronic devices or somehow, they will be behind in life, many studies have shown that overuse and unsupervised use of these devices can negatively impact adults AND children. Arguably, children’s brains are more negatively impacted because they are like sponges and cannot recognize or overcome the negative impacts on their own. Your concerns as a mother are valid and you’re doing the right thing, by aiming to reduce screen time overall. Sometimes taking things away entirely does more harm than good, because the child has trouble adapting. It is clear in what you have described that this method isn’t working out well.\\n\\nI would recommend turning the privilege of having electronics into a behavior reward system. At his age, Islamically most children are at the age of discernment and are able to begin to understand Islamic concepts and things such as chores. Prioritize things that he can help with, such as homework, so that he can earn his electronic time. The time will still be limited, and the programming must be beneficial. If you have the time, try and engage with him. Maybe there are games that he likes, and you can play them together to compete and bond. Is there a family program, like “America’s Funniest Home Videos” that you can watch together to laugh and bond? Many of the movies and TV programs from the early 90s are cleaner and much better quality than what is offered today. A widespread issue is that parents and children do not spend enough time together around the dinner table and chatting to build connections. You are not alone, but this is often why many children resort to electronics; in reality, they are craving that simple and valuable time with us. That time doesn’t need to be anything fancy, but sincere and uninterrupted. Build new traditions together and maybe he won’t crave as much electronic time eventually, insha’Allah.\\n\\n\"},{\"attributes\":{\"underline\":true,\"bold\":true},\"insert\":\"Prayer:\"},{\"insert\":\"\\nAs mentioned above, your son likely is at the age of discernment in which he is able to understand prayer and why we pray. This varies for each child. At this point, you may encourage him to pray through love and encouragement but do not force him. The focus at this age should be cultivating Allah’s love in their hearts. Associate everything with Allah’s love—the beautiful weather we enjoy outside, the blessing of having our favorite foods to enjoy, the gift of electronics and enjoyable programs, the wellness we feel after recovering from illness, etc. Slowly thread in the obligations such as prayer, but do not get frustrated if he is not praying five times a day like you. It is not obligatory for him at this stage; rather, you focus on the love of Allah ﷻ, surrounding him with righteous friends, and making duaa for him. It is common for single parents to sometimes feel like they are failing solely because they are doing things alone, but remember you are never alone and you are more than capable of raising righteous children who are successful in this life and the afterlife, insha’Allah. Just the fact that you are reaching out for guidance is proof of that, Alhamdulilah.\\n\\n\"},{\"attributes\":{\"underline\":true,\"bold\":true},\"insert\":\"Physical Activity:\"},{\"insert\":\"\\nIt is a wise idea to take him outside for physical activity. It is very important, especially for males, to get plenty of physical activity. Perhaps try to uncover if he is interested in any sports and sign him up for a team sport. Many times, the local Parks & Recreation in your city/town have affordable options. Another option would be to try and incorporate friends to meet at the park to play on an evening or weekend.\\n\\n\"},{\"attributes\":{\"underline\":true,\"bold\":true},\"insert\":\"Aggression:\"},{\"insert\":\"\\nWithout knowing the details of your family situation, based on the information you have provided, this may require you to seek therapy for him. This level of aggression could be pent-up frustration or anger that he doesn’t know how to express or cope with in a healthy manner. We cannot blame him as he is a child, but we can offer support and healthy mechanisms for him to learn how to deal with these emotions and heal, insha’Allah. I would highly recommend making sure the therapist is also Muslim.\\n\\n\"},{\"attributes\":{\"underline\":true,\"bold\":true},\"insert\":\"Fear of Remarriage:\"},{\"insert\":\"\\nIt is your right Islamically to remarry, should you choose. You should not be afraid of this but rather take the time necessary to stabilize things within your home now with your son, so that you can get to the point of considering remarriage, if you choose, insha’Allah. Find your happiness and contentment within yourself and the family you have built with your son first. This way, when you are ready to consider remarriage, you are starting that journey off on the right foot, insha’Allah.\\n\\nOverall, there are some things that can be answered in a general manner, but should you need a more personalized answer on this or any other issue, please consider filling out a confidential fatwa consult: \"},{\"attributes\":{\"link\":\"https://forms.gle/VFjjSTQNMAsYCwJ36\"},\"insert\":\"https://forms.gle/VFjjSTQNMAsYCwJ36\"},{\"insert\":\"\\n\\nMay Allah ﷻ grant you steadfastness, patience, and tawfiq in raising a righteous son who is successful both in the dunya and akhira, insha’Allah. May Allah ﷻ grant you strength and peace of heart and mind, and may every struggle you go through be a means of purification and elevation to Allah ﷻ.\\n\"}]}","tags":[{"_id":"668da0010b76658b4c232b9d","tag":"Relationships: Parent and Child","count":111},{"_id":"668d9fdd0b76658b4c232765","tag":"Women: Children and Childbirth","count":50},{"_id":"668da0120b76658b4c232d5e","tag":"Contemporary Life: Social Media","count":26},{"_id":"668da0120b76658b4c232d57","tag":"Contemporary Life: Technology","count":17},{"_id":"682e8d592d0f3a9bf9f0954f","tag":"Contemporary Life: Education","count":12}],"createdOn":"2025-08-21T16:26:15.286Z"}